Marco Franco, Back of the Yards run past Gage Park

Last season. Back of the Yards leaned on Marco Franco to carry the offense and he delivered.

Franco, who’s started for the Bobcats since he was a freshman, ran for 879 yards and 10 touchdowns while earning all-conference honors.

This year, he has more help and it’s one reason why Back of the Yards is one of the frontrunners in the Public League Blue Central.

Franco ran 15 times for 126 yards and two touchdowns as the Bobcats cruised past visiting Gage Park 42-0 on Sept. 25.

Senior Bobby Applewhite added nine carries for 89 yards, including a 46-yard TD, and sophomore William Martinez ran nine times for 67 yards, including a 17-yard TD. Sophomore quarterback Diego Silva also had a TD run and a passing TD to Alex Rodriguez on his only completion of the day.

Having multiple backs to share the workload is a luxury coach Mark Morgan appreciates.

“It’s great because we need to run the ball,” Morgan said. “Our quarterback’s a bit inexperienced and as you see, we have a little trouble throwing. When we do get open and do hit our receivers, it just opens up the running game all the more.

“But the running game is definitely our bread and better this year. So we need to get the line focused every game, block the defense as they line up and open the holes for our backs. And these guys hit the holes tonight, did a very good job.”

Franco is fine with sharing the wealth.

“I like it a lot,” he said. “I can catch my breath more, come back in and make even more explosive plays. I feel like I do some of the dirty work, they do some of it, too.”

Applewhite said being part of a triple-threat backfield for the Bobcats (2-2, 2-0 Blue Central) has felt more comfortable as the season has progressed.

“It was confusing at first,” he said. “… (But) it got easier and easier for everyone.”

Martinez likes seeing his teammates pile up good numbers as much as he likes doing the same.

“It feels great because I know I can rely on them getting more yards, scoring touchdowns,” he said.

The Bobcats also had a strong defensive effort. holding Gage Park (1-3, 0-2) to 109 yards. Almost all of them came on runs by returning all-conference quarterback Kenneth Wright, who had 12 carries for 100 yards.

“Everybody did what they were supposed to do,” Franco said. “Our execution was there. There were some moments when it could have been better. But overall, (I’m) happy with the scoreboard.”